Alcudia: Boat Trip to Cap de Formentor and Formentor

The best part of this trip is seeing Mallorca’s north coast from the water, then getting an hour at Formentor beach for a swim. I like the route’s mix of coastal views and a proper beach break, and the $34 fare makes a half-day boat outing accessible.

One point to weigh: this is mainly a boat ride, not a land tour. The stop at Cap de Formentor is listed as just 10 minutes, and the lighthouse may be seen only briefly from offshore. The boat can also fill up, so an open-air seat is not guaranteed.

At a glance: the parts that matter

• A four-hour cruise from Port Alcudia: The route takes you along Mallorca’s north coast and back to the same port.
• Several coastal landmarks: You pass Aucanada, Coll Baix beach and Cap des Pinar on the way toward Formentor.
• One hour at Formentor beach: This is the main chance to get off the boat and swim in the bay.
• A brief Cap de Formentor look: The scheduled sightseeing stop is 10 minutes, so treat it as a short view from the boat, not a visit ashore.
• A simple, low-cost outing: At $34 per person, it offers a scenic half-day on the water. Food, drinks and transport to the port cost extra.

Leaving Port Alcudia for Mallorca’s north coast

The trip starts at the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk for Transportes Marítimos Brisa, on Passeig Marítim in Puerto Alcudia. You meet at the port, so you’ll need to arrange your own way there. Transport to the port is not included.

Once aboard, the boat heads toward Formentor, taking in bays and coastal sights along the way. The route is the main event: you can sit back as Mallorca’s shoreline slips past, rather than spend the day managing a drive or planning several separate stops.

That ease comes with a trade-off. You see the coast from the water, but the cruise does not give you much time to explore the places it passes. If you want to walk at Coll Baix, spend hours at Formentor beach or visit the lighthouse, this trip is not a substitute for a land-based outing.

The boat is described as a sightseeing cruise, but no guide or commentary details are provided. If you’re hoping for a narrated account of the coast, check with the operator before booking rather than assuming it is part of the ride.

A string of bays, including Coll Baix

The early stretch introduces several coastal features, including Aucanada, Coll Baix beach and Cap des Pinar. The itinerary allows 40 minutes for the cruise to Platja del Coll Baix, followed by 25 minutes of sightseeing in the Balearic Islands. Those are segments of the boat journey, not necessarily separate stops on shore.

Coll Baix is one of the named highlights, but the trip does not promise a beach visit there. Think of it as a scenic pass-by and a chance to see the bay from a different angle. If your priority is to set foot on the sand, the one-hour stop at Formentor beach is the more important part of the day.

This distinction is worth keeping in mind when comparing boat tours. The route covers several attractive places, but most of your time is spent aboard. The value is in the changing coastal views and the convenience of seeing multiple areas in one trip, not in a long list of shore excursions.

You may want to bring a camera, as recommended, but also make room to simply watch the coast. The boat ride is long enough that the changing scenery matters more than trying to photograph every bay.

The one-hour break at Formentor beach

Formentor beach is the clearest chance to pause the boat trip and enjoy the water. The schedule gives you one hour here, with time to swim in the bay’s clear water and relax before returning aboard. For many people, this will be the most satisfying part of the outing.

An hour is useful, but it is not a full beach day. You’ll need to keep an eye on the time and be ready to reboard when the break ends. Food and drinks are not included, so bring what you need or plan to manage without refreshments during the excursion. The provided information does not specify whether food or drinks are sold on board.

If you’re booking mainly for a swim, this is a sensible way to reach Formentor beach by sea and have a set period there. If you want an unhurried day on the sand, the fixed schedule may feel tight. The return journey is part of the four-hour outing, so the beach stop is only one portion of the experience.

Pack sunscreen and comfortable clothes, both useful for a boat ride and time by the water. A camera is also on the suggested packing list. You’ll want to be prepared for sun exposure, but no specific onboard facilities or shade arrangements are provided, so check those details if they matter to you.

Cap de Formentor: a short view, not a long visit

Cap de Formentor is the headline sight, but set your expectations carefully. The itinerary includes 10 minutes of sightseeing at the cape, and the trip description focuses on admiring the lighthouse and coastal scenery from the boat. This is not a visit to the lighthouse or a lengthy stop on land.

The distinction matters. One recent experience described the cape as visible from a distance for only about a minute, while finding the beach stop pleasant. That is a useful caution for anyone booking specifically to spend time looking at the lighthouse. The route offers a chance to see the area from offshore, but the view may be brief and the boat’s position can affect what you see.

I would treat Cap de Formentor as a bonus view along the route, not the main reason to book. If seeing the lighthouse up close is your priority, look for an excursion that clearly includes time ashore or a dedicated stop. This cruise is better suited to someone who wants the overall coastal outing and accepts that the cape is one short element of it.

How the four hours are spent

The advertised duration is four hours. The listed schedule includes a 40-minute cruise toward Coll Baix, 25 minutes of sightseeing, a one-hour break at Formentor beach, a 20-minute ferry segment, 10 minutes of sightseeing at Cap de Formentor and a 45-minute return leg. Those listed periods add up to less than four hours, so expect the full excursion to include additional sailing or time between the named segments.

The main practical point is that the beach stop accounts for only an hour. The rest is largely time aboard, and some passengers find that too much for a short swim break. If you enjoy watching the coast from a boat, the ride itself is part of the appeal. If you get restless on longer crossings, consider whether three or more hours aboard will suit you.

The tour has an overall rating of 4.1 from 569 reviews, suggesting a generally positive but not universally smooth experience. Praise centers on the pleasant ride, the beach stop and the organization. The main concerns are the long time on the boat relative to the beach break, limited views of the cape, crowded seating and an occasional disruption: one excursion was reported cancelled because of a boat breakdown, with no advance notice to the passengers who arrived.

That breakdown is not a routine feature of the trip, but it is a reminder that boat operations can change. The stated cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can keep your plans flexible. Those terms do not explain what happens if the operator cancels, so contact the provider if you need clarity before committing.

Seating, comfort and what to bring

The boat can be full. One passenger found the upper deck already occupied when boarding in Alcudia and had to use the middle deck, even on a day with good weather. There is no stated group-size limit or seating guarantee, so don’t book on the assumption that you will get a particular deck or spot.

If an upper-deck seat matters to you, arriving on time is sensible, though no specific boarding-time rule is provided. Keep expectations flexible: the experience is about the route and the beach stop, not a guaranteed seat in a particular location. If you have concerns about comfort or access, ask the operator directly, since those details are not provided.

Bring sunscreen, comfortable clothes and a camera. Food and drinks are excluded, and you’ll need to get to the port on your own. The meeting point is the Alcudia Sea Trips boat kiosk for Transportes Marítimos Brisa at Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia.

Is $34 good value?

At $34 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a four-hour coastal cruise with a one-hour stop at Formentor beach. You are paying for the boat ride and the route, not for meals, drinks, port transfers or an extended visit to the lighthouse. The included experience is straightforward: sail from Port Alcudia, see several coastal areas, take a beach break, then return.

The value depends on what you expect from the four hours. If you enjoy the journey as much as the destination, the time aboard can make the outing feel like a good use of a half-day. If your goal is simply to swim, an hour of beach time may not justify the remaining ride. The occasional crowding also means the price does not guarantee a quiet or spacious seat.

There is no need to treat the modest fare as a reason to overlook the limitations. Compare it with your priorities: for a relaxed coastal view and a swim stop, it is an appealing option. For extended beach time, a close-up lighthouse visit or a guided land excursion, look elsewhere.

Who should book this cruise?

I’d consider this trip if you’re staying near Alcudia and want a simple way to see the north coast from the water. It suits people who like boat rides, appreciate a scheduled swim stop and are happy with a sightseeing pass of Cap de Formentor rather than a visit ashore.

It may be less suitable if you want to spend most of the outing on land, need a guaranteed upper-deck seat, or are booking mainly to see the lighthouse close up. The strongest part of the schedule is the hour at Formentor beach; the rest of the outing is the price of reaching it by boat and enjoying the coast along the way.

Book it for the combination of bays, sea views and a swim, not for an extensive tour of each landmark. At $34, that is a fair proposition, as long as you are comfortable with four hours on a boat and a brief stop at the cape.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The trip lasts four hours, departing from and returning to Port Alcudia.

Where does the cruise start?

Meet at the Alcudia Sea Trips kiosk for Transportes Marítimos Brisa, Passeig Marítim, 07410 Puerto Alcudia.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $34 per person.

Is there time to swim?

Yes. The schedule gives you a one-hour break at Formentor beach, where you can swim.

Does the boat stop at Cap de Formentor?

The itinerary includes 10 minutes of sightseeing at Cap de Formentor. It does not specify a visit ashore or time at the lighthouse.

Which coastal places are included on the route?

The route includes views of Aucanada, Coll Baix beach and Cap des Pinar, along with the Formentor area.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is transport to the port included?

No. You need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point in Puerto Alcudia.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, sunscreen and comfortable clothes.